Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku on Saturday said slogans such as “Inqilab Zindabad” are incompatible with the spirit of the Bangla Language, asserting that such expressions have no connection with Bengali identity.
He made the remarks at a discussion, cultural programme and prize distribution ceremony held at Sirajganj District Shilpakala Academy auditorium to mark the Martyrs’ Day and International Mother Language Day 2026.
Sirajganj District administration organised the event.
“Inqilab has become the language of our youth, and that is our failure,” the minister said, “If we truly want to embrace Bangla and call it our mother tongue, then ‘Inqilab Zindabad’ cannot be accepted. ‘Inqilab Zindabad’, ‘Inqilab Moncho’ — these have no relation with Bangla. These are the words of those who tried to snatch our language away from us.”
Anticipating criticism, he added, “Some may brand me as an agent of India for saying this, but I will still speak out because it is my life’s conviction that took me to the Liberation War and eventually made me a minister.”
Reflecting on history, Tuku said British colonial rule caused immense harm to the country and that suppressing Bangla as a state language was a tool of exploitation.
He noted that the sacrifices of the Language Movement martyrs in 1952 and the movement of 1954 sowed the seeds of independence, which ultimately accelerated the Liberation War in 1971.
Urging the younger generation to think critically, he warned against drifting towards extremism and stressed the need to strengthen nationalism by properly learning and practising the Bangla language.
Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner Md Aminul Islam presided over the event.
Superintendent of Police Saiful Islam Santu and District BNP General Secretary Saidur Rahman Bacchu, among others, were also present at the programme.
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